Can someone ID the era and use of these Army rank pins?

[hzamar]

I've always wondered what these were for. They are larger than the standard collar rank pins and much more elaborate. The one Spec4 is huge!. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Herb

[Old Marine]

I think they are from the late 50s early 60s for wear on the helmet liner. The Army guys would know for sure. They are nice.

[hardstripe]

They are Definitely Helmet Liner Rank from the 1950s to 1960s The big Specialist is actually a Specialist Third Class from about 1955-1959. It likely has a single screw post and nut, although I have several that have two pins and use clutchback fasteners.

 

It mirrored the style of the first Specialist cloth chevrons which were 2 inches wide. Later specialist cloth Chevrons were 3 inches wide.

 

The three smaller were probably produced in Japan and I would guess are 1 inch wide. You can tell they were made in japan by the way the posts were fastened to the back. Again, they were made for wear on the helmet liner and cloth caps.

 

I would not mind having these in my collection if they are for sale. Please send me a PM. Thanks

[oldfireguy]

I have a large Sp-4 just like that on a Ridgeway hat.

[Collector .45]

I can agree. They are probaly for on the helmet liner. Nice find.

[patches]

As mentioned, they were worn by some on the Ridgeway cap, but they were also worn by some on the flap of the pile caps

[KurtA]

I've come across the small versions in SPEC8 and SPEC9, so that to me suggests at least the smaller versions are late 50's/early 60's. Your SGM is a scarce one.